US3794202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-refillable pouring closure for liquor bottles
Assignee: Joseph E Seagram and Sons Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-26
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1991-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A non-refillable pouring closure for liquor bottles is provided with a check valve disposed interiorly of the bottle neck. This valve includes a ball cage within which a ball is adapted to seal the opening in the valve seat defined by the cage to prevent spurious liquids to be poured into the bottle following removal of the legitimate contents of the bottle. The ball is adapted to be advantageously unseated when it is desired to pour the legitimate liquor in the bottle for consumption upon tilting of the bottle to the desired pouring angle. Guide ribs on the interior of the cage assures proper movement of the ball therein between the ball valve opening and closing positions. A pouring spout or cowl extends upwardly and outwardly from the ball cage to facilitate pouring of the bottle contents. The cowl and the cage define a space within which a guard plate is adapted to be disposed. This guard plate permits pouring of the liquor from the bottle but, at the same time, prevents foreign objects from being inserted into the cowl with a view towards unseating the ball in an effort to refill the bottle with a spurious liquor. A locking band engages with the open end of the bottle neck and surfaces of the cowl to secure the cowl and ball cage to the bottle neck. A removable closure cap containing a liner is adapted to close the bottle and particularly seal off the upper open end of the cowl. This closure cap is removed when it is desired to pour or drain the liquor contents of the bottle.
Inventors
- 👤 E Unger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D49/00; B65D49/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
A non-refillable pouring closure for liquor bottles comprising: a valve assembly comprising a ball cage adapted to be associated with the neck of the liquor bottle, said cage having a valve seat, the ball cage including a substantially tubular side wall having a lower laterally and inwardly extending integral flange terminating in an integral upwardly extending inner concentric cylindrical skirt defining said valve seat, said valve seat defining an opening through which the liquor in the bottle is adapted to flow when the bottle is inverted, and a ball in the cage adapted to be seated on the valve seat to close the opening when the bottle is in an upright condition and be unseated when the bottle is inverted to permit flow of liquor through said opening; a cowl associated with the cage and adapted to extend upwardly and outwardly from the neck of the bottle, the cowl having an upper pouring spout having a reduced diameter through which liquor is adapted to be dispensed, the cowl defining an interior space; a guard plate in said space and comprising a disc of predetermined diameter relative to the diameter of the pouring spout and sufficiently smaller relative to certain surfaces of the cowl to permit flow of liquor therebetween when the bottle is inverted, means for centering the guard plate within said space for contributing in providing predetermined volume in the cowl on each side of the guard plate Disc, and limiting means for limiting the movement of the ball in the cage from a seating position and unseated position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
A non-refillable pouring closure for liquor bottles comprising: a valve assembly comprising a ball cage adapted to be associated with the neck of the liquor bottle, said cage having a valve seat, the ball cage including a substantially tubular side wall having a lower laterally and inwardly extending integral flange terminating in an integral upwardly extending inner concentric cylindrical skirt defining said valve seat, said valve seat defining an opening through which the liquor in the bottle is adapted to flow when the bottle is inverted, and a ball in the cage adapted to be seated on the valve seat to close the opening when the bottle is in an upright condition and be unseated when the bottle is inverted to permit flow of liquor through said opening; a cowl associated with the cage and adapted to extend upwardly and outwardly from the neck of the bottle, the cowl having an upper pouring spout having a reduced diameter through which liquor is adapted to be dispensed, the cowl defining an interior space; a guard plate in said space and comprising a disc of predetermined diameter relative to the diameter of the pouring spout and sufficiently smaller relative to certain surfaces of the cowl to permit flow of liquor therebetween when the bottle is inverted, means for centering the guard plate within said space for contributing in providing predetermined volume in the cowl on each side of the guard plate Disc, and limiting means for limiting the movement of the ball in the cage from a seating position and unseated position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a number of ribs extends longitudinally and inwardly from the cage side wall for purposes of regulating the path of travel of the ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the cage includes an upper flange extending radially outwardly from the cage side wall and being adapted to rest on the upper edge of the bottle neck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the flange on the cage includes sealing means for sealing the juncture between the cage flange and the bottle neck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein associated surfaces of the cowl and cage define locking means for locking the cowl and cage together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein the cowl includes a substantially tubular side wall and a lateral flange extending outwardly from the base of the cowl side wall and sealing means between and defined by associated surfaces of the cowl and cage for sealing the juncture between such surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with claim 6 wherein the tubular side wall of the cowl presents inner surfaces defining the locking means for locking the cowl and cage together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for centering includes projections appearing on both upper and lower sides of the guard plate disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the limiting means includes a centrally located post adapted to engage with the ball when the bottle is inverted to pour the bottle contents and said means for centering include a plurality of projections at the periphery of the disc to cooperate in centering the guard plate in the cowl.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein equal volume is provided on each side of the guard plate disc.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the disc diameter is larger than the diameter of the pouring spout.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a bottle having a neck mounts said closure, a locking band securing and sealing the closure to the bottle neck and a closure cap having a linear and being threadedly secured to the closure and having surfaces which engage with the cowl to enhance the seal between surfaces of the cowl and cage and cage and bottle neck and also effecting a seal of the liner across the pouring spout.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ball possesses a specific gravity approximately twice that of the liquor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ball is fabricated from a plastic into which high density mineral matter has been incorporated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sides of the valve seat are tapered at an angle tangent to the surface of the ball in the area of contact of the ball and the seat.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention in accordance with claim 15 wherein the ball diameter is approximately .460 inches and an included angle between the sides of the valve seat being approximately 40* and the diameter of the seat being approximately .430 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |